SDLP leader Mr Mark Durkan today accused Tony Blair of "playing fast and loose" with the democratic franchise dimension of the Belfast agreement by postponing this month's Northern Ireland elections.
He told delegates at the Labour Party's annual conference in Killarney that the 1998 accord had a strong validation in referendums on both sides of the Border and had provided a shared constitutional ethic "among and even beyond all political strands on this island".
The SDLP leader said: "That is why it should be a cause of anxiety, even affront, when the British Prime Minister plays fast and loose with the democratic franchise entailed in the agreement."
Mr Durkan said the agreement had incorporated a mandate that transcends both nationalism and unionism, and allowed shared institutions to work in the interests of everyone.
He said to delegates: "I would like nothing more than to be able to stand here and speak of a political process that is stable, progressive and dynamic.
"But there have been too many false starts, false turns and false stops in implementing the agreement. Alternating between sterile stand-offery and stilted choreography cannot be credibly passed off as 'process' any longer."
Mr Durkan went on to say that at time of frustration, "all people see are politicians crying at each other. It is little wonder they feel so fed up and let down".
"The SDLP shares in the people's sense of frustration. But the time for pointing the finger of blame has passed. Now we must point the way forward.
"I am very concerned that allowing for a so-called cooling-off period, will only see opportunity go cold.
"The two governments must now call together all the pro-agreement parties to agree common and clear understandings and common and explicit undertakings in response to the joint declaration, which must be implemented so that people can enjoy the full benefits of the agreement.
"We want to bring the agreement back, not just so that we can get back into government, but so that we can get back to delivering for the people.
"We need to see all parties that support the agreement taking part in all aspects of it. This requires full commitment to the inclusive political institutions and full commitment to the inclusive policing arrangements.
"No more half measures or double standards. And no more messing."